Like most of the U.S. economy, the sheep and goat industry is expected to take a few hard knocks from the COVID-19 epidemic as restaurants close temporarily, and more people work from home.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist Reid Redden tells producers that COVID-19 is causing major market disruptions in the sheep and goat industry. The disease couldn’t have worse timing, striking during the biggest peak in the supply-demand season for lamb, Redden said. A few weeks ago, the American Lamb Board had indicated retail sales of lamb increased 50 percent before COVID-19 started impacting the U.S. economy.

The IGA Board of Directors has decided to postpone the 13th International Conference on Goats.

The new date is 3-8 October 2021.

Even though the 13th ICG is several months away, the current COVID-19 crisis has made it extremely difficult to plan any large gathering. We know the dangers of infectious diseases and the need to prevent exposure, so rather than put people at risk unnecessarily, the Board of Directors postponed this conference.

As the COVID-19 Global Pandemic moves across the world, we send our sincere hope for good health and protection to the entire IGA family. We are all affected by this situation, some more seriously than others.

We need to support each other professionally and personally as best we can. And we need a future where robust science informs public policy to prevent this type of tragedy. May we, our families, and colleagues endure this current situation, and we will see you again in Hungary in 2021!

On behalf of the 5th AADGC 2020 organizing committee, we would like to inform you that due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The AADGC board and the 5th AADGC 2020 organizing committee have unanimously decided to postpone the event to another date, which has not been decided yet. We have monitored the COVID-19 situation for the best time to have a great success and safe for the conference and all participants, respectively.

We also apologize for any inconvenience caused by postponing the conference and hope to see all of you at this important international event to celebrate all together.

The Organizing Secretary will contact all parties involved (Speakers, Sponsors & Exhibitors, Delegates, Poster Presenters, and others) with further information.

The current COVID-19 crisis has created extraordinary changes in our world. We know the dangers of infectious diseases and the need to prevent exposure. It has become challenging to plan any large gathering, so rather than put people at risk unnecessarily, the IGA Board decided to postpone the 13th International Conference on Goat.

A new date has not been chosen. We will continue to monitor the situation and hope to announce the change soon.

Unfortunately, because the 13th ICG is postponed, elections for the new Board will be delayed. When a new date for the conference is selected, we will send out an official call for nominations. Any IGA member in good standing (meaning their membership dues are up-to-date) can be nominated to serve a four-year term. Check our website regularly for more information in the coming days and months!

The IGA Board of Directors has decided to postpone the 13th International Conference on Goats

Even though the 13th ICG is several months away, the current COVID-19 crisis has made it extremely difficult to plan any large gathering. We know the dangers of infectious diseases and the need to prevent exposure, so rather than put people at risk unnecessarily, the Board of Directors has decided to postpone this conference.

A new date has not been chosen. We will continue to monitor the situation and hope to announce the new date in a few months.

As the COVID-19 Global Pandemic moves across the world, we send our sincere hope for good health and protection to the entire IGA family. We are all affected by this situation, some more seriously than others.

We need to support each other professionally and personally as best we can. And we need a future where robust science informs public policy to prevent this type of tragedy. May we, our families and colleagues endure this current situation, and we will see you again in Hungary in 2021!

As we find ourselves in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I extend wishes of good health and safety to all our colleagues and their families around the world. IGA is a GLOBAL network, and more than ever, we can reflect on the importance of our international connections for research, agricultural production, trade, and friendship. We are in this together.

Many of us are working from home and are living under travel and other restrictions to prevent infection. The coming weeks and months will need contributions from all of us as individuals, institutions, and governments to recover from this unprecedented calamity.

Please note that many of the conferences and training programs listed on our website may be delayed or canceled. Please contact us immediately if you have updates or corrections.

IGA is still “open for business,” and we remain connected via the internet. Now is an excellent time to explore all that our website has to offer, from Proceedings of past conferences to free online books, manuals, and other publications.

​Hello, I am Dr. Beth Miller, the president of the International Goat Association, a global organization of scientists, farmers and development experts dedicated to improved human welfare through a more organized goat sector. On behalf of our Board of Directors, and all of our members, I want our Chinese colleagues to know that we stand with you in solidarity during this difficult time of the COVID19 outbreak.

As scientists, we know the dangers of infectious diseases, and the need to prevent exposure. As people, we understand the terrible isolation resulting from travel restrictions, and the fear from hearing of new cases. All of us understand that travel is the best learning experience, and makes our research and policies more robust and effective. For now, we accept the limitations on travel to and from China, but we also know that we will be able to visit with you again in the future.

Please know that your IGA friends and colleagues from around the word eagerly await the end of the outbreak, and the development of new tools for prevention and treatment, both in China and the other countries where new cases are being discovered such as Italy, Korea and Iran. Now more than ever, we can see the need for global cooperation so our countries and our families can thrive.

We commend the Chinese people on your patience and strength while facing this unprecedented situation. I look forward to returning to a time with safe and easy travel within and between countries. May you all enjoy good health and a quick return to a normal life, and working to advance goat health and production!

As more countries become affected, we ask IGA's Board members, Country Representatives, and Regional Directors to add their own messages of support on Facebook and Twitter.